31 December 2007

and i don't feel any different.the clanking of crystal,explosions off in the distance.

so this is the new yearand i have no resolution,for self assigned penance,for problems with easy solutions.

so everybody put your best suit or dress on;let's make believe that we are wealthy for just this once,lighting firecrackers off on the front lawn,as thirty dialogues bleed into one.

i wish the world was flat like the old daysand i could travel just by folding a map;no more airplanes or speed trains or freeways.there'd be no distance that could hold us back.

so this is the new year.

New Year's Eve senior year (the most interesting of my life- me and Matt Baca, who would have thought) I made our car listen to this song at 12:01 as we watched fireworks from the top of the valley.

2004 had been an interesting year. And 2005 was also. 2006, much more exciting and probably the happiest year of my life. 2007, the most intense, emotional, character-building, note-worthy in the 21 that i've been kicking it.

Here's to the next. 2008. Embarking on the greatest adventure thus far. In four and a half hours it will be January and it will be new. Here's to it being great, for all of us.

30 December 2007

every day i fall more and more in love with the voice, words and talent of sufjan stevens. maybe i'm obsessed. remember the girls that would cry at backstreet boys and *nsync concerts? maybe that's me. but maybe moreso i find comfort in his lyrics and find his voice parallel to what i imagine an angel's to sound like. whatever it is, hop on the bandwagon! for real.

28 December 2007

go see juno. see juno or i'll kill you. if you need company, chances are i'll go with you.

last night chloe, jesse and i got to salt lake city before the rest of the family. all of us had been dying to see juno. (i was merrily surprised that it cost 52.3% of what it would cost in las vegas to see the movie. hooray for trolley square and hooray for student ids.) it is now tied for first in my list of favorite movies (i don't see best in show ascending the throne anytime soon). i don't even like movies that much, but i'm quickly becoming obsessed with this one.

"i still have your underwear.""i still have your virginity."

michael cera is amazing. ellen page is even more amazing. jennifer garner is great. and jason bateman is the love of my life. i don't feel let down by anyone involved or any aspect of the film. the acting was perfect. michael cera covers his characters so well. once jason bateman said that he has never seen someone able to get into character the way cera does. from vocal tones to facial expressions he masters every awkward second. i really hope ellen page goes somewhere. i'm not usually particularly drawn to actresses but i love love love her. she delivered every line perfectly.

the dialogue of the film was spectacular. we were continually laughing. "he's the cheese to my macaroni." great for a small town high school. great for a sarcastic girl dealing with adult problems on her own.

the music. THE MUSIC. probably the best soundtrack since garden state (with the exception of once). kimya dawson is going to blow up, at least on the indie scene. her lyrics are so simple and unusual but captivating. please say that you've heard "anyone else but you". it's performed by the moldy peaches, kimya's band. the first time you listen you'll probably be confused in the beginning but like it by the end. the more you listen the more you'll love it. and you'll love it!

"kiss you on the brain

in the shadow of the train.kiss you all stary-eyed,my body swinging from side to side...you are always trying to keep it real.i'm in love with how you feel.i don't see what anyone can seein anyone else but you."

one of the best parts of the music in the film is that it was suggested by ellen page. jason reitman (director) asked ellen what she thought juno would listen to, she responded with the moldy peaches (another reason that ellen is the coolest actress since dakota fanning).

26 December 2007

in the news today is an article about a five year endeavor undertaken by brigham young university. students and faculty worked to transcribe 115 missionary journals to be read online. awesome! the journals primarily belong to average members of the lds church, but also include diaries of the likes of james e. talmage. these missionaries served around the world from the 1830s to the 1960s, and we have the opportunity to learn from their experiences.

i'm really excited about this. i think it is so interesting and so good. i sincerely hope that people take full advantage of this. do you realize how much we can learn? and what we can observe? how cool to be able to compare missionary experience from more than a decade ago to our own. how interesting to be able to read and notice the change a mission brought to someone's life.

i need to become better at journaling. i hope to keep a detailed journal of my time in taiwan. there are many times that i wish i had kept one recently. when i doubt my mission it would be so nice to be able to look back at a page written in my own words to remember the feelings of certainty i had in july. i'm sure that in the next 18 months i will have experiences that i can continue to gain from into my latest stages of life, if i allow myself to.i wonder if i do keep a journal what kind of value it would be to another? i would love to have my grandpa ray's journal, or my tutu from hawaii's. but i wonder if others are as ridiculously sentimental as i am. i wonder if my posterity would read it, or if it would become literal fuel for a fire. i wonder if a stranger would read it if it were posted online or misplaced at a public location. i guess i won't know until i write it and then die.

you, blog reader, should check out the journals of the past. i'm sure there is a lot to be gained in doing so.

25 December 2007

it's christmas day.after watching my ex-step-grandma and her husband get buzzed in henderson, we drove home. as we stopped for gas i realized that i felt like it wasn't right to do so, kind of the way you feel bad about eating at a restaurant on a sunday even if you're on vacation. it wasn't sunday, just a tuesday. but it was christmas. and not once had a member of my family mentioned the birth of christ. very sad, very very sad.

at our little dinner prior to the christmas devotional (one of the worst evenings of my december), sarah, kens, mandi and i shared christmas traditions with each other. mandi's was my favorite. on christmas day before opening presents her family sings happy birthday to baby jesus, with a cake and everything. i love that. i don't know that little naomi even knows what christmas means beyond the wii santa bought. i think more should be done within the family (mine specifically) to shift the focus of the season from presents to christ. when i'm a mom, if i'm ever a mom, i'm going to work hard to come up with a way to help my children understand the significance of december 25.

oh holy night is one of my favorite christmas songs.

oh holy night! the stars are brightly shining,it is the night of our dear savior's birth.long lay the world in sin and error pining,'til he appeared and the soul felt it's worth.a thrill of hope the weary soul rejoice,for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

truly he taught us to love one another;his law is love and his gospel is peace.chains shall he break for the slave is our brother;and in his name all opression shall cease.sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus we raise,let all within us praise his holy name.

i know these aren't the entire official lyrics. but they're the ones i like best.sufjan's version is stupendous and tracy chapman's is great too.

yesterday chloe and i went to in n out (i've been there every day since i got to vegas, gross!). the line at the drive thru was out of control, so we went inside and ordered to-go. sitting, waiting for our number (70) to be called we watched a few things.

less of a conversation, more of an interchange. . .woman: are you working at macy's?boy, about 17 years of age: (blank faced) no?woman: are you working?boy: stareswoman: just hanging out? that's good. have a merry christmas.then she walked away and he turned to his friends and shrugged. weirdest thing ever. we predict that she was a stranger and the boy had no idea how to react. this is our version of his expression. . .our eyes followed the woman as she passed a man dressed in no way to be in public. he looked like something out of a cheap rap video. we'll work bottom up - tan work boots, black snow pants, black mets t-shirt, black bandanna around the neck, white bandanna around the head, baseball cap, goggles. the ensemble probably wouldn't have been so bad if he hadn't had been short and googley eyed. poor guy. after some thought we concluded that he had just returned from a day of snowboarding. no excuse. we both decided that it is inappropriate to go out in public dressed for the slopes, if that's how you dress at the resort. the woman with him was a tall blond bombshell wearing the female version of his outfit, minus the goggles. to make up for what was missing on her outfit, she had the most annoying voice under the sun and a desperate need for a slice of onion. she kept yelling across the room. chloe and i laughed out loud. we were probably kind of rude.

after dodging a careening mini-van we drove past a scantily clad jogger and an old man in something ineffable. i realized that people watching is one of my favorite activities, and chloe is a good sister/friend to do it with.

24 December 2007

how it happened. . . this morning i was listening to a killer track by the french band justice. i decided to do a bit of online research (i like to think of myself as an educated listener). i came across the effing tight video to their hot track "D.A.N.C.E.". more research. turns out the video and track are nominated for grammys. awesome. this got me wondering what else was up for the award. i found the official website. (here.)

upon perusing i was shocked to find 110 categories. who knew? i was also surprised to find categories such as "best recording package", "best polka album" and "best hawaiian music album". again, who knew? i noticed that as i browsed i became very disinterested in some of the nominations. i mean, how big is the sound difference between "latin urban" and "tropical latin" albums? can't it all be classified under "world music". that is an ignorant way of thinking. it makes me wonder if the die hard fans of "tejano" jams think similarly when it comes to "rock" and "alternative". "throw it all together; it all sounds the same." when, clearly, there is a big difference between the two. maybe i should work to expand my musical tastes. i probably won't. i feel that they are diverse enough sometimes. simon and milo to johnny cash, xiu xiu to laura veirs. plus, i'm already overwhelmed as it is.

anyway, here is what i think should (but probably won't) happen at the 2008 grammy awards.*i left out categories i am less educated on or am indifferent to.** i need someone to commit to writing me in the mtc and sending me the results.

"1234 fightstick to the b.e.a.t.get ready to ignite"

RECORD OF THE YEAR: Umbrella - Rihanna ft Jay-Zhot track, kids, hot track. this one rocked the globe and deserves the credit.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Graduation - Kanye Westmuch anticipated. much appreciated. mr. west is a stud.

SONG OF THE YEAR: Hey There Delilah - Tom Higgenson (Plain White T's)so sick of this song, but i feel that it is cohesive and memorable. plus, tom's stalker tendencies deserve a reward, eh?

BEST NEW ARTIST: Feisthands down. she's amazing. (amy winehouse in a distant second. maybe if she cleaned up her act.)

BEST FEMALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCE: Big Girls Don't Cry - Fergienumber one downloaded track on itunes. the one that made us know fergie was here to stay (we already knew she could spell, d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s).

BEST MALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCE: Everything - Michael Bubleit makes me happy to see this under "pop". mr. buble is out of sight. and this song makes me feel warm.

BEST POP COLLABORATION W/ VOCALS: Give it to Me - Timbaland ft Nelly Furtado and Justin Timerlakeanything timbaland touches is gold. and anyone who can encorporate "amnesty international" into lyrics should get a grammy.

BEST DANCE RECORDING: D.A.N.C.E. - Justicethis one was a tough choice. here is my reasoning. . . timberlake has had enough credit; it's going to his head. rihanna's hit was umbrella not "don't stop the music". mika, yes but no. chemical brothers, sorry but not this time. justice are newcomers and they're french. have you heard the song? it's the best use of acronyms in a long time.

BEST ELECTRONIC/DANCE ALBUM: ?i'm not justified in saying. bu, i'd be happy with three of the five nominees (justice, lcd soundsystem, shiny toy guns).

BEST SOLO ROCK VOCAL PERFORMANCE: Timebomb - Beckthis song is as the title suggests, it will blow your mind. beck is fascinating in my eyes. i think i'd run away with him.

BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP: Icky Thump - The White Stripesi'm not always a fan, but the divorced couple did well on this one.

BEST ROCK ALBUM: Sky Blue Sky - Wilcogood. pure. talent.

BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM: Wincing the Night Away - The Shinsanother tough one. lily allen was great and i really enjoy most of "alright, still...". it was mostly between arcade fire and the shins. "wincing the night away" held my attention much more than "neon bible".

BEST COMPILATION SOUNTRACK ALBUM FOR MOTION PICTURE, TELEVISION OR VISUAL MEDIA: Once - Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglovathis soundtrack is amazing. one of my favorite albums of the year. yes, "across the universe" was superb but they worked with existing tracks rather than new material. well done to the little people. irish/czech fusion!

BEST SONG WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURE, TELEVISION OR VISUAL MEDIA: Falling Slowly (from Once) - Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglovaplayed on repeat on my itunes for quite a while.

BEST RECORDING PACKAGE: The Dio Years - Masaki Koike, art directorthis was the most simple and straight forward, i believe. it works with the band and what i imagine their album to sound like.here are the five options. . .

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL: Timbalandno contest. he is midas.

BEST SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO (my favorite category): God's Gonna Cut You Down - Johnny Cashbefore watching all five videos i knew that justice would have it. but, the cash video astounded me. it reminds me of my favorite type of photography and i think it is emotionally stirring. i love the involvement of so many performers and celebrities. something should be said for "1234". awesome. makes me want a sparkly blue suit. the dancing was great and the colors exciting, but more was conveyed in the black and white. "gone daddy gone", not worthy of a nomination. kind of ruins the song for me. "d.a.n.c.e.", wicked sweet. second place without a doubt. "typical", i used to watch while working out at the prices'. really cool video, but not enough when up against the best. here are all five for your interest. . . (i put them in order, from my favorite to least.)

god's gonna cut you down - johnny cash

d.a.n.c.e. - justice

1 2 3 4 - feist

typical - mutemath

gone daddy gone - gnarls barkley

i'm really anxious to see what happens. i was surprised by some of the nominations, disappointed by some and really excited about others.

one of my favorite things about staying at my parents' house in las vegas is my bedroom. i'm not in it much and i rarely use the attached bathroom, but the "caseda" does have some perks.

1. the queen size bed is amazing. so comfortable. so high. so warm. i used to "sleep like a log". if a family member had so share a bed with someone they would choose me because i gripped the edge of the bed for lie and rarely moved an inch. things have changed as far as i can tell. i love sleeping right in the middle of my shabby chic sleep throne. i love having space to move my legs to the "cool" sections of sheet. i love surrounding myself with the dozen pillows that inhabit the mattress. one day it would be nice to share such a bed with a deserving young man, but for now i'm content.

2. the separate entrance provides privacy. lately when i'm in vegas i'm quite the home body. but, if i wasn't it would be okay. today some parents and i had a conversation about how their returned missionaries and college students have curfews. even if i did have a curfew (which would be ridiculous as i embark on my 21st year), my parents would have very much trouble enforcing it. if i was still staying out until all hours with randoms it would be alright because keith and janelle would have no proof of my arrival back home time.

3. this is the most important. my bedroom has its own air conditioner! do you realize what that means? at any time of the day, any time of the year, i can choose to be completely comfortable in my surroundings (that is, if i am in my bedroom). i find this extremely convenient when i consider the fact that i am always cold in winter, even when others are on the slightly warm sidem and the fact that keith attempts to save money by keeping the main house's temperature in the eighties throughout summer. within the first two days of this stay in vegas i exercised my power to control the air of my bedroom by keeping the daytime temperature at a healthy 73 and the nighttime temperature at a chill 62 (it makes my bed seem so much cozier).

pretty much, you should come visit my bedroom. i can guarantee our privacy and your comfort, temperature-wise and in the bed, at least.

lately i like music more than almost anything else. and when it comes to music i like sufjan more than anyone else. today i gave my farewell talk in vegas and quoted the man. here are the lyrics to the song i used. . . "The Perpetual Self, or 'What Would Saul Alinsky Do?"

everything is lostbut i know that you can take it to the lord.everything you areisn't all that you can gather for yourself.

do you love a lot?is that love that you just kiss to everyone?is your loving lost?is it strange that you perpetuate yourself?

all that he has given to the worldis the joy that he will carry to the door.

20 December 2007

i'm a growing, changing girl. recently, i have thought about how i used to be and what i used to like. times change. i'm no longer hoarding band pins and dreaming of men with dark hair covering one eye. i've moved past weekends in provo and the myspace scene. this season i like. . .

- shows like the soup, best week ever, what perez sez and the colbert report: i only like tv when it makes me think or makes me laugh. i'd like to say these programs help me to do both. i'm not one to stay pop culture savy or on top of the political realm of the united states, instead joel mchale, perez hilton, stephen colbert and various comedians and commentators do so for me. in some ways i think this love is detrimental to my mind's wellbeing. i am prone to use others' opinions in place of my own (a reason some of my relationships work so well). please stop me from losing my own thoughts to the somewhat cynical often crude stances of the television.

-garden gate toffee: every year my family gets a few large boxes of two pound boxes of this piece of heaven. to me, it will always represent the best of the christmas season. today i was blessed with the opportunity of stuffing small plastic gift bags with pieces of toffee. tonight my sisters and i will enjoy ice cream sprinkled with garden gate crumbs. i love december.

-being called by name: have you ever paid attention to the way you feel when someone says your name? i love being involved in a phone conversation or a face-to-face conversation or a text conversation or a google talk conversation and having the other party say, "jade, . . ." i don't know what it is. i don't know if it makes me feel secure and reminds me that i exist. i don't know if it's because i'm vain (i learned from lars and the real girl that the majority of people's favorite word is their own name. i wonder if this is true even for individuals with names i personally hate.) whatever the reason, if you're talking to me and would like to add a little boost to the conversation throw a "jade" in there somewhere.

-letters, emails and texts: i love communication. and i love hearing from people. few things make me feel more warm.

-making new friends: yes. i'm trying to decide whether or not this should be included on the list. as much as i love making new friends (possibly more) i hate the knowledge that many of these new relations will be for naught in just a few weeks. often times it's devastating. write me new friends, write me!

-i guess i'm floating: a kicking music/mp3 blog. thank you connor and nathaniel for pulling me out of a music slump. i predict that if they're still up and running i'll use them to get me back on track post-taiwan. for your pleasure.

-starbuck's giftcards: we all know that keith shows affection (and control) monetarily. i've been on his good side and have been given $50 starbucks giftcards the last few months. i love caramel apple spice, i love steamers, i love tazo tea, and i love love love madeleines. these are all much sweeter when they don't ding my bank account.

-sufjan stevens: can i repeat. sufjan is THE MAN. i adore him, i love him, i'm passionate about him, my ardor for this man burns to the core. he's talented, ambitious, humble, clean, handsome, bright, well-traveled, well-read, well-dressed. if you haven't heard his music, take a look in the mirror and try to figure out what is wrong with you then fill your ears with his voice. start with this video. . . and continue on to: john wayne gacy jr., the lord god bird, the predatory wasp of the palisades is out to get us!, holy, holy, holy, and sister winter. sufjan will not let you down.

-cameras and their products: i dream of owning various cameras with various purposes. as soon as i get back from my mission i intend to invest in a really nice slr. for now i have my point and shoot nikon, my dad's old ae-1 program, a new lomography plastic thing that shoots eight frames in succession and the polaroid i'll pick up tonight. plus, for christmas phoebe has kindly decided to get me a holga. i've also gotten into flickr. seeing others' work gives me something to aspire to. i am seriously considering being a photography major or minor. then i'll move to bradley and we'll fill our time with rolls of film.

-death cab's news: new album to be released may 2008! there are some things that would be nicer to come home to (a boyfriend, a job, a new car) but this is up there. transatlanticism and plans have compoundedly (not a real word) left me wanting more. i'm pretty sure that i'll miss the promotional tour, but maybe i'll be able to catch a random show. or maybe they'll surprise me with another dvd version of the album. my fingers are crossed. i know that ben and chris will go with what is best for all of us. click here and see for yourself. (the site is kind of shaky, best of luck.)

-grey and rain: this isn't a new love, it's an old one that has intensified exponentially with my age. i've been made fun of for dreaming of an overcast wedding day. but to me the layer of clouds is like a blanket. if i could curl up in it and never leave i would. one day i will live in the state of washington, nothing will stop me.

cleaning out my gmail account i came across an email i had sent our dearest k. patton a few months ago. it was jam packed with a capella versions of popular songs. it also held another gem. . .

ben folds is the shi. totally rad. i don't like the fact that he would admit it and i hate that he's reading lyrics, but i'm willing to look past these flaws to recognize the fact that he makes me wish to marry a pianist and lyricist.

suggested listening, so that you can be convinced too: carrying cathy, the luckiest, jesusland, smoke (ben folds five), bruised (the bens)

"Do You Realize" - The Flaming LipsDefinitely nursed me through not getting accepted to Wellesley.

do you realize that you have the most beautiful face?do you realize we're floating in space?do you realize that happiness makes you cry?do you realize that everyone you know someday will die?

and instead of saying all of your goodbyeslet them know you realize that life goes fast,it's hard to make the good things last.you realize the sun doesn't go down;it's just an illusion caused by the world spinning 'round.

"Goods (All in Your Head)" - Mates of StateI like to think of "the goods" as blessings. There are more than we ever imagine to have.and we'll count up all the goods now.there are more then you ever thought you'd own.

when it lasted all day,we would blast it all day.we would bring it on and on.

"Light and Day" - Polyphonic SpreeDoesn't allow you to feel unhappy. Moreso, you feel like putting on a robe and jumping around on stage with the likes of Tim DeLaughter and Annie Clark (St. Vincent).

light and day is more than you'll say'cause all my feelings are more than i can let byor not, it's more than you've got.just follow the dayfollow the day and reach for the sun.

you don't see me flying to the red.one more, you're done.just follow the seasons and find the time;reach for the bright side.you don't see me flying the red.one more, you're nuts.just follow the day;follow the day and reach for the sun.

"Love Today" - MikaThe song as a whole may just be about free love, my religion of choice. I'm not into the bit about "shocking" or becoming a lover. But I am into the falsetto.everybody's gonna love today.anyway you want to.anyway you've got to.

i've been crying for so long,fighting tears just to carry on.but now, it's gone away.

"Things are What You Make of Them" - Bishop AllenSo good. (And, as the photo shows, the bassist is a girl. That will be me in the next life.)

i was spending my days with my demons.they had taken up inside of my heart.they were trying to keep me entertained.they were tearing me apart.

but my memory was packingand i knew she would never come backshe handed me a letterthen she vanished in the blackand the letter said...

things are what you make of themand you know what i mean."What We Hate, We Make" - The Rocket SummerBryce Avery is the king of teenage romance lyrics. Spencer Harrison once said, "The reason he is so cool is that he can write the cheesiest lyrics and pull it off." all i've learned is. . . what we hate we make. there's no time for hating; what we hate we make.

let me tell you about what i did yesterday. . .i woke up around eight thirty to the little girls knocking on my door. kindly, i sent them away and checked my email. i talked with a few friends then went back to sleep. chloe helped me unload my car then we watched 30 rock. while she was with her tutor, i showered and unpacked a bit. we went to in 'n' out for lunch then came home and each took a three hour nap on my bedroom floor. next i caught up on some facebooking then wandered around the house until my mom announced dinner plans. i touched up my hair and drove to sushi ko. from there chloe and i went to "lars and the real girl". i came home and went to bed.

vegas seems to hold a pretty sweet life. but i'd still rather be in salt lake. LAME.

i'm sitting on my green futon. it's laid out into a bed. my screen printed pillow is slightly under the brown wool rose one. the light out the back door is shining and reflecting off the week old snow. i just turned off the ikea floor lamp that i love; it's rays are perfect. sound waves of the comforting mix i made kens are flowing through the air. volume: low. blárauð, my anorexic betta, is swimming ignorantly; i don't think he has yet realized that i'm abandoning him in mere days. my books are in lines. my cameras are set at angles on the printer. the grey pillowy chair has a bum mark right in the middle. i don't know who last sat in it. i don't know the next time someone will. the cupboards are still stocked and the dishes still stacked. brad just went to bed and bid me good night from too far away. my sweater is yellow, my cardigan black and embellished, my jeans seem to keep getting bigger.

how can i leave this? i love this.but at the same time, how can i stay? there's a toxicity in the uncertainty of what is around the mbh corner or who may be in the institute gym.

a lot of days i don't want to go. last night i knew it was right then received a phone call and had a brief chat that changed my mind in the other direction. today provo tasted bland and i figured byu wouldn't be for me until possibly grad school. so, what is it? i'm running to taiwan no matter what. i can't stay. i can't take staying. but what after? i don't want a real life. i'd rather live as a vagrant, but a vagrant with permanent friends and nightly fun.

i don't have to go. but i can't stay. i can't face telling keith and kyle that the plans and the skirts and the relief of the empty space i'll leave was all for naught. and i can't come up with a reasonable excuse. someone propose to me. i asked watson to give me mono. it would be a ticket out of the mtc and into the sympathy of my mother and judy.

i guess we'll see (i hate hearing that phrase from the mouths of others). i have 27 days. i'm speaking on sunday then next sunday then the one after. three sundays and a fast sunday to reconvince myself. and to say goodbye.

okay. so i haven't kept up. not because i didn't want to, i just haven't had the time.i wish i felt bad about it, but honestly wouldn't my life be more pathetic if i DID have time to talk about lyrics and write other blogs every day? so, rather than daily lyric rantings they will be when i choose. maybe seven times a week, maybe only once. (i mean, over the four weeks i have left.)

09 December 2007

Mandi said I wouldn't be able to keep up with "Lyrics of the Day". She was challenging me, and I never back down from a challenge (or a dare). I hate to have proven her right. I didn't post anything yesterday.

It is Sunday, so I'm spending the day listening to old EFY CDs and my favorite selections sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Every Sabbath the lyrics will be to a hymn. One of my absolute favorite hymns is "If You Could Hie to Kolob". . .

If you could hie to Kolob In a twinkling of an eyeAnd then continue onward With that same speed to fly,Do you think that you could ever, Through all eternityFind out the generation Where Gods began to be?

Or see the grand beginning Where space did not extend?Or view the last creation Where Gods and matter end?Me thinks the Spirit whispers, "No man has found 'pure space'.Nor seen the outside curtains Where nothing has a place."

The works of God continue And worlds and lives abound.Improvement and progression Have one eternal round.There is no end to matter. There is no end to space. There is no end to spirit. There is no end to grace.

There is no end to virtue. There is no end to might.There is no end to wisdom. There is no end to light.There is no end to union. There is no end to youth.There is no end to Priesthood. There is no end to truth.

There is no end to glory. There is no end to love.There is no end to being. There is no death above.There is no end to glory. There is no end to love.There is no end to being. There is no death above.

I think the last half of this song is comforting and sweet. It really puts things into perspective for me at times.

I love the Mormon Tabernacle Choir version of this song. And every good LDS youth love the Kirby Heyborne version.

"i've got these airport feelingsall over you.i'm ready for landing.i'm ready to lose."

Keith had two free flights on US Airways that he used to get me to my last Accutane appointment in Las Vegas (hooray!). The stipulation was that I'd have a layover in Phoenix both ways. Getting down was not a problem, just long. Getting back to Salt Lake is another story. I've been in the Phoenix airport for more than two hours and have another hour before my flight pulls away from the gate. Shauna's blog introduced me to "brain dumping". I think I'll do a mini brain dump about my thoughts and observations as I sit alone in the airport.

-I noticed on the flight in that I like turbulence. I mean, I don't think I'd appreciate life threatening turbulence, but I think little bumps on a flight are nice. I love the butterfly feeling I get during landing. And I like the physical sensations of the plane moving. Does that make sense? When you're in the air you don't necessarily feel anything different that you would in a chair on land. But, when the plane moves up or down you can feel the difference and I like that.

-The first interesting sight once I got off the plane was a man in a clerical robe. I've tried to find it on the internet to see what kind of priest the man was, but I can't. The rob was gray and ankle length. I wonder what his story is and where he's going. Maybe he's on his way to teach at a seminary, maybe he's on his way home from visiting parents. Maybe he's going to perform an exorcism. ?

-Mere moments after seeing the man of God, I saw a man that appeared homeless being escorted by a bike cop (riding through the terminal). The homeless man carried a drum on his back and looked pretty grungy. I heard him bumbling about hitch-hiking from place to place. Maybe he sneaked into an airport and from flight to flight. That would be a good story to tell.

-As I neared my gate and walked past the typical bookstore I saw a regular looking man carrying a briefcase and pulling a carry-on suitcase. As I passed him, he started coughing. Something white flew out of his mouth. We both looked down at the gum that had been ejected. He continued walking. Gross!

-Shortly after the gum man I heard what I thought was burping from behind me. I looked back as a stout man with glasses let another belch out. I was shocked to see such a character behaving similarly to the teacher's quorum. As I stared (I really think I have a staring problem) he burped again, loud and in middle of the corridor.

Around this point I sat, put my head in a book and quit observing. Then I starting thinking about how someone could live in an airport, especially in a European airport (with showers and stuff). I thought to myself, "That might make an entertaining movie." Lo and behold, The Terminal has already been made and it wasn't that great. If my life were a movie and the day in Phoenix were included, I'm sure it would be more stimulating than watching Tom Hanks try to woo Catherine Zeta Jones with a crummy accent.

There are many things I envision myself doing. I like to say there are many things I have fantasies about. For example, I fantasize being married one day and I fantasize taking photographs of the boxer I will someday own. Some of these fantasies are simpler... walking through a farmer's market with a pram or sleeping into a down pillow laden bed in plaid two piece pajamas with big, cute buttons.

One of these silly fantasies has realized recently. I had always imagined a day when friends would be over at my house watching a movie (dorm style) on my laptop. Rather than gathering around the "coffee table cubes" we would all lay on the futon on our stomachs. In an ideal world we'd have our chins in our palms and a large bowl of kettle corn making its way around the room. Last week some mates came over and we did it! The movie: Drop Dead Fred. The friends: Mandi, Kristin, Reed, Shanna and Mike. Chins in hand. Sans the popcorn. I love my life!A fantasy that has been around for a while and gets stronger by the season is to walk into a cafe and order "the regular". A while ago I ate at Blue Plate Diner with some friends. An old man in a yellow cardigan covered in embroidered Indian faces walked in and the staff greeted him warmly by name, Jimmy. He took his place at the end of the bar and waited for a waitress.How awesome would it be to be Jimmy? This morning my dad took me to the airport on his way to work. This means that I was awoken by my alarm at 5:15am, disgusting. On our way down Ann he turned into a parking lot in front of a new strip mall. Lauren (who works at American Leak as a secretary) got out of the car without asking a question, so I did. I inquired if they stop at Starbuck's regularly. Lauren answered, "Everyday. They know our orders." I was awestruck, "That is so awesome!!" (I sounded like Oskar in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.) It was completely true. We walked in and were greeted warmly. Lauren was asked, "A steamer?" She nodded. Keith was asked, "Something new today?" I don't remember his answer just that he turned to me and said, "We're working on finding a new drink for me. They discontinued mine, Tangerine Blend." I was astonished! They are living my dream. I, the new girl, ordered a Caramel Apple Spice and picked up some Madeleines (add to my list of favorite things). One day I will have a favorite deli or coffee shop. I will be known by name. And I will order "the usual" on most days.

06 December 2007

Maybe the words to the songs I become fixated on provide a look into my suppressed (sometimes expressed) thoughts. Maybe not.

I really like Ingrid Michaelson and her song "Starting Now".

i want to crawl back inside my mother's womb.i want to shut out all the light in this room.i want to start fresh, like a baby in a sink;scrub away all these thoughts that i think of you.

so life moves slowly when you're waiting for it to boil.feel like i've watched from six feet under the soil.still want to hold you and kiss behind your ears,but i recount the countless tears that i lost for you.

before you finally go there's one thing you should know. . .that i promise:starting now i'll never know your namestarting now i'll never feel the samestarting now i'll wish you never came into my world

i want to crawl back inside my bed of sin.i want to burn the sheets that smell like your skin.instead i'll wash them just like kitchen rags with stains;spinning away any piece that remains of you.

it's my world. it's not ours anymore.

If you haven't listened to her yet, do it. If you like Laura Veirs or Suzanne Vega you'll love Ingrid.

I need a desk so I can be organized. I want Dance Dance Revolution and a Wii. They will keep Naomi and I busy. I would like a digital camera cause I have good grades. Please get me Junie B. books. They will make me quiet. Please oh please get me these things and if you don't I'll be so obnoxious.

Love,Phoebe

I think my sisters are so funny.This makes me wonder what my Christmas letter would be. Probably like this...

Hey Paul and Nell,

I know that I'm going on a mission, but one day I will come home. So, if you would, please don't be too practical this Christmas. There are a few things I would ask for that wouldn't be smart, like Abercrombie 8 eau de toilette that may start to sour or black knee high Uggs that may not fit when I get home but I won't. More than anything I would like "Heima" the DVD by Sigur Ros. Dad, I know that you hate them, but you don't hate me. You both know that I'm always up for good books and movies. If you can find Harriet the Spy on DVD that would be superb. Also, I really like David Sedaris. On the practical side... We need to decide what to do about music on my mission. Maybe one of my sisters could get an iPod and I could have their leftovers. Or maybe you should just get me some burnable discs and a CD case. I would love another journal, in case I don't receive enough from other relatives. And I hear I'll need a raincoat in KaoHsiung. You are wonderful people and I look forward to spending the holidays with you.

i'm in las vegas and i'm bored to death.my mind swims (more like swarms) with thought so i sit with my hands on my fujitsu keyboard. i'm going to miss this. i should put my head in a book but lately have trouble focusing on the words on a page for more than a few minutes. so, i'll continue to sort through my itunes on shuffle. and i'll continue to ramble on screen for the benefit of an anonymous audience.i wonder who reads this. maybe a merry stranger across the country finds my mindless banter amusing. maybe that kid in my ward secretly sees some of the workings of my little brain. at least i know mandi likes it.

One of my new favorite things is iGoogle. If you don't have it, get it.

iGoogle is my homepage. I was able to choose a theme for the page. I went with a background that changes throughout the day according to the season and time. For example, in the morning it's a bright blue with what appears to be snow on the ground (winter) and in the morning it's a red reminiscent of a sunset around the hours of dusk. Atop choosing a theme, my homepage has "gadgets" of things I love and use. I personalized my page to include my gmail and google talk accounts, a things to do list, realsimple's thought of the day, Salt Lake City weather and a wikipedia search box among other things. Next to my "Home" tab I added a few other tabs: Music, News, Church and Cooking. Each of these pages is also personalized according to my needs.

I feel great, like if the world hadn't been at my fingertips with the invention of the internet it definitely is with the expansion of Google.

05 December 2007

I constantly have words to songs running through my head. I love lyrics. I love finding solace in the words of my favorite musical artist. I love when songs are silly and make me smile. So... I'm introducing you, blog audience, to the words I listen to.

Today I cannot stop playing and replaying the lyrics to "Bigmouth Strikes Again" inside my head...

Sweetness, sweetness, I was only jokingWhen I said I'd like to smash every toothIn your head

Sweetness, sweetness, I was only jokingWhen I said by rights you should beBludgeoned in your bed

And now I know how Joan of Arc feltAs the flames rose to her Roman noseAnd her Walkman started to melt

Bigmouth strikes againI've got no right to take my placeIn the human race

Morissey is a man after my own heart. I swear I'm not a morbid or violent person.If you listen to the song, listen to the original version by The Smiths then the Treepeople cover.

03 December 2007

if i could choose to go the rest of my life without another dream i would.

a few times a month i wake up from dreams where things are back to the way they used to be. usually the dreams have elements of whatever is happening at present (e.g. last night's dream had a bit about the christmas devotional). after what seems like a few minutes (ten or fifteen) in the dream, i wake up suddenly. things feel great at first then i get a quick reality check.

this morning's check: i'm sleeping in mandi's bed. and i'm leaving in five weeks.